So in the past year or so there have been several fatal/severe accidents between cars and bikes in the area. Rather than highlight the need for better facilities and better driver/cylcist education it really seems to have (and I'm stealing from someone else here) given the local drivers a sense of road entitlement and made them worse!!!
I had some jerk buzz by me inches from my side today to get 10 feet ahead and stop at a stop light. So I pulled up next to him (normally I would take my place in line behind him)- I didn't say anything, I just wanted him to be aware that there was a cyclist on the road. He rolls down his window and says - do you need something? (this says to me he obviously knows he's done something wrong - otherwise why would he be assuming that I want anything) So all I say is -maybe you could get a little closer next time huh?..... He immediately turns to the new Seattle drivers excuse - when I see bikes stopping at stop signs then I'll give you room. WHAT! - first did he see me run a stop sign - no, he certainly did not and in any case what the h#ll does a cyclist running a stop sign have to do with the fact that he just put my life in danger!! When running a stop sign becomes a capital offense that can be enforced by civilans let me know, I'll start shooting all the cars that do California stops and make rights on red without stopping....
To make it even better he proceeds to turn right without signaling, tailgate another car down the street and then turn left without signaling. Where does he get off criticizing any cyclists about being scoff laws in the first place.

I just really hate that argument and its becoming more and more prevelent around here. When ever a cyclist gets hit its always - oh they are just asking for it - while in reality none of the bad accidents around here have had anything to do with the cyclists being scofflaws. Most of the ones I know about were caused by cars turning in front of cyclists descending a hill. But no, drivers here are beginning to feel its OK to menace a cyclist, since we are all bad people who run stop signs and lights and do a million other things just to annoy drivers. I'll admit to doing track stands at stop signs (I NEVER run red lights), but until all drivers have to open their door and put a foot on the pavement to prove that they are stopped I'll be unapologetic about that one. I'm stopped all right - I just don't unclip if I don't have to.

OK off my soap box for now. I'm just p*$$ed cause it seems like there are more people who have been passing way too close recently and they seem to feel like they think its entirely OK to do it since some cyclists break traffic laws - as if most drivers didn't also.